It’s that time of year when we hang out with our friends in the parking lot of a stadium, graze on delicious food and eventually root on our favorite team inside the stadium! We’ve got some great ideas for appetizers that you can pull out as everyone is arriving.

Onion Beer Brat Cheesey Dip

Onions. Cheese. Beer. Need we say more? Your friends could probably live off of this appetizer alone. But don’t worry, we have more ideas to keep the party interesting! Get the recipe here.

Individual Seven-Layer Dip

Not only are these great appetizers, but they’re easy to eat while standing around! These are easy to get creative with, you could even have a few additional toppings sitting around for guests to choose from. Get the pinned recipe here.

BLT Deviled Eggs

You can’t have any kind of party without deviled eggs. These are made even more scrumptious by adding bacon. Yum! Get the recipe here.

Mini-Cheddar Corn Dogs

First of all, anything on a stick is delicious. Second, make it mini and it’s even more delicious. These mini corn dogs are made to be perfectly bite-sized and your friends will love popping them in their mouth! Get the pinned recipe here.

Oreo Peanut Butter & Pretzel Cookie Balls

Some might consider this dessert, but on game day anything goes. If it’s bite size we consider it an appetizer. It’s just sweeter than any of the other options above. Get the recipe here.

Bacon: just about everyone loves it. Heck, we even know vegetarians who “cheat” with bacon! Here are some great ways to incorporate bacon into appetizers, rolls and other tasty concoctions that you’ll want to eat everyday.

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken BitesSeriously, what’s not to love about this tasty appetizer?Get the recipe here.

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BLT Deviled EggsThese would be great with dinner, as an after school snack, or at your next tailgate!Get the recipe here.

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Bacon Appetizer CrescentsDid you want one? Sorry, we ate them all.Better get the recipe here.

Related Topics

Every child loves learning to cook and eating something “I made myself.” Parents, too, will share the pleasure—and the rewards. Read on for some delicious kid-approved recipes and clever ways to make the experience fun for all ages.

Measuring, mixing, and getting started

Small chefs will enjoy more success if they learn the basics before beginning:

Wash hands before touching food.

Put on an apron and roll up sleeves.

Read a recipe all the way through before beginning to cook so there are no surprises.

Gather the necessary ingredients in one place and use proper measuring tools for dry and liquid ingredients.

Use spoons for tasting, rather than fingers.

Try these easy recipes

Here are four recipes with guaranteed kid appeal:

Snacks on sticks—Assemble chunks of cheese, hot dogs, fruits, or veggies of your choice on a skewer alternating colors and sweet with salty things, or soft with crunchy.

Yummy grilled cheese sandwich—Melt 1/2 to 1 tablespoon (.5 ounce) of butter in a frying pan on medium heat. Put a 1-ounce slice (28 grams) of cheese between two bread slices and place in pan. Brown on one side. Add another 1/2 to 1 tablespoon (.5 ounce) of butter and use spatula to turn and brown second side. When cheese melts, remove sandwich from pan with spatula.

Sunshine deviled eggs—Boil six eggs in saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and run under cold water to cool before removing shells. Cut in half and place yolks in medium-size bowl. Use a fork to mash yolks with 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon mustard (.5 ounce), and 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) sweet or dill pickle relish. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spoon a dollop of yolk mixture into the hollow of each egg half.

Keep the kitchen kid-safe

Cooking is fun, but it’s always important to have an adult around to be sure things stay safe. Here are some simple tips:

Set up a special cooking area at the kitchen table or at a child-sized table to avoid unsafe standing on chairs or stools.

Consider using an electric frying pan instead of the stovetop; if using the stove, always turn saucepan handles toward the back to prevent accidents.

When supervising older children using plastic or serrated knives, put a piece of colored tape on the knife to show where to properly hold it, and always use dry hands and a cutting board. For younger children, prepare ingredients in advance or look for precut options.

As one child said, “Never touch a cookie when it’s in the oven.” Make turning on and taking pans or cookie sheets in and out of the oven an “adults-only” task.

Judith H. Dern, an independent writer living in Seattle, started cooking when she was age ten by making chocolate chip cookies and brownies from scratch.